//Do you believe that all Australian citizens should be treated as equals?//

Yes Issy I do, and it must be more than just in name, it must include equality of opportunity for all. It is clear that many Australians, including Aboriginal Australians, have not been treated equally, and they have suffered because of it.

Admitting that mistakes were made in the past, acknowledge those mistakes, and take corrective action where possible is not a bad thing. Australia should not get totally hung up in this debate, but clearly a by-partisan approach, and good will from all sides will go a long way to put these issues to rest once and for all.

Dear Paul,

Shireen Morris tells us that:

The Uluru Statement from the Heart seeks to
resolve the fundamental moral problem that has
tormented our country since 1788: how do we
create a fairer relationship with the First
Nations of this land?

The problem was left unresolved in 1901:
Indigenous peoples were not represented in the
constitutional compact that made the Commonwealth.

It was not answered in 1967: the referendum empowered
parliament to make laws for Indigenous people, but it
did not empower Indigenous people with a fair say in
respect of those laws. It was not resolved in 1999:
the proposed symbolic preamble would have changed
nothing, and it failed at referendum.

Indigenous Australians have now formed a historic consensus.
They ask for constitutional recognition through a
First Nations voice in the Constitution. Not a racial
non-discrimination clause, which was opposed by politicians.
Not uncertain symbolism in the Constitution.

They ask only to be heard in decisions made about them.
A practical reform. Not a veto, but a voice.

There is a quintet of objections to the Uluru Statement:
1) The "equality"objection.
2) The "ïdentity politics"objection.
3) The "personal responsibility" objection.
4) The "all heart and no head" objection
5) The "secret, separatist" objection.

These objections share common threads. Each promotes
values of equality over division, unity over separation,
secure sovereignty over sovereign threats, responsibility
over passivity, and rationality over sentimentalism.

Each of these values is legitimate and important. With
respect to the Uluru Statement, however, the objections
are incorrectly applied.

cont'd ...

cont'd ...

Dear Paul,

Shireen Morris says that properly understood,
the Uluru Statement from the Heart respects and
appreciates these principles - it does not
contradict them. It offers a way to recognise and
empower the First Nations of Australia to take
responsibility for their affairs, while
upholding the Constitution, respecting Crown
sovereignty and unifying the country.

She then goes on to deal with each of the objections
and explains each one in turn.

This is all available in the book, "A Rightful Place:
A Road Map to Recognition." And I would recommend it
to anyone wanting answers and explanations to any
objections that they may have.

Here's another link that may be of interest:

http://www.abc.net.au/religion/the-uluru-statement-from-the-heart-australias-greatest-moral-cha/10094924

Foxy,

I csuppose vthat'swhat an echo hamber looks like

Paulo,

" //Do you believe that all Australian citizens should be treated as equals?//

"Yes Issy I do, and it must be more than just in name, it must include equality of opportunity for all. It is clear that many Australians, including Aboriginal Australians, have not been treated equally, and they have suffered because of it.

"Admitting that mistakes were made in the past, acknowledge those mistakes, and take corrective action where possible is not a bad thing. Australia should not get totally hung up in this debate, but clearly a by-partisan approach, and good will from all sides will go a long way to put these issues to rest once and for all."

Yes, that's what Big Nana and I have been trying to get through to you: rectify the past, drive towards equality, and promote the best means to facilitate it. To a huge extent, much of that is up to Indigenous people themselves - which is my focus is on Indigenous university participation and the benefits that it promises.

But you both seem to believe that Indigenous people are too helpless to attempt that sort of effort, since you assume that effort is White while helplessness and hopelessness is Black. To repeat: since 1990, around 120,000 Indigenous people have been enrolled in university courses. And no, not bullshite courses but mainstream courses. Three-year and PG courses. They don't need your pity and sympathy.

Education liberates. Sympathy and commiseration lulls, dulls and stupefies. Your choice.

Joe

Talking to one of the relatives today (Great grand uncles side) and I asked him what he thought of the proposed treaty,

His exact words,

"Load of bloody bull, it won't help me pay off the mortgage".

He's a drover and works very hard, and has a lot of money invested in accommodation trucks, water wagons, horse floats, and other gear.

Joe, you can stop the nonsense, you don't know what we think, prating on about what you presume we think is rubbish. You take it upon yourself to make statements, then try to lecture us as if you and Big Nanna are the gurus of all things indigenous, YOU ARE NOT. The fact is we have not agreed or disagreed with your assertions. Just what does qualify you in the area of Aboriginal affairs? Your web site, some knowledge of the 5% of Indigenous located in SA. What pray tell?